Photo: Alessandra Meniconzi
This isn’t your classic awesome photo: It’s blurry, you have reindeer butt in your face, you can’t see the man’s face, and you really have to look at it before it’s clear what you’re seeing. But this photo by Alessandra Meniconzi has captured all these elements in a moment that works beautifully together to draw you in.
The perspective is what really grabs my attention. I love being behind the action as if I were in the sledge, instead of shooting the scene from a distance as a viewer and not a participant. In addition, she could have set her camera on a high shutter speed and frozen the action but she’d have lost the wonderful feeling of movement, and I think that’s the key to the success of this image. I also love the deep rich colors.
But lets see what a true professional thinks of this shot. I found this image while perusing the National Geographic “Your Shot” website – a fantastic place for inspiration – and this is what Paul Salopek, a Foreign Correspondent and National Geographic Fellow had to say.
Wonderful. I like the rush of motion against the still horizon. (I also like the incongruous black satchel.)….
For a little more background on this picture, here’s some more info from Allesandra.
Maxim, 34 years old, drive his sledge, pulled by reindeer, using a long stick called “khorei”. He told me that the animal need fresh pastures and is time to move.The harshness of the tundra has ensured reindeer herder nomads left to roam in freedom, migrating twice a year, for up to 1,000 kilometres in all. Following ancient routes from Siberian Arctic tundra pastures in summer, they head south to the more protected sub-Arctic taiga ready for winter. The winter temperature plunge even to -50°C.
What do you like (or not like) about this image?
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Wow, that’s such a good shot and I can really relate to it as I worked as a reindeer herder for a few winters. It’s the kind of photo that really makes me want to be there and share that perspective. Maybe one day. Thanks for sharing it.
Great Post, I Loved It
Glad you’ve enjoyed all the posts!
wow,,, amazing, i like it
Me too. Glad you do too.
I love the dinamic of the picture.. I love the fact that you feel part of the scene, closing the circle. really inspirational!!
Isn’t it though? I just love it.
such an amazing photo, very beautiful. A photo shoot here is magic most definitely
Most definitely!
Very dynamic and thanks for sharing.
Yes, very dynamic. Glad you liked it.
Amazing Susan! that’s magical!
Totally magical!
I wish I had taken photos : Alessandra Meniconzi
there is rarely a good photo while moving objects
But I think this one is one of those exceptions, don’t you?
I like this picture.I don’t now were is been shot but looks like mi country. Beutiful indeed.
I wonder where they are heading? That interests me.
As I was scrolling through the sites I follow this picture immediately caught my eye due to the blurriness. Although the blurriness creates a chaotic, confused sensation, I can only imagine the exhilaration the photographer, Alessandra, felt while taking it. What a great moment to capture on camera! Thank you for sharing!
Yes, the “exhilaration” is a great way to put it. Thank you for taking the time to comment. 🙂
You’re welcome! If you like to read, I have a book review blog that I just started 🙂
I like the blur which makes me think speed. Also the colours .. Yes I would have loved to have shot this
There are so many out there. I could do a whole blog just on all the images I covet. Lol
I love the rawness and non-conforming nature of this photo, makes it so much more interesting and inviting…take care
Great observation! Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Eu amei a sensação de movimento!
Yes!
It’s amazing that this photo breaks almost all the rules of photography yet you can see it was done on purpose in a very talented way. It kind of drags you into the action and you wish you were in the place of the photographer. Nice!
Yes! I think that’s why almost at any workshop I’ve ever taken, at some point, the instructor will say, “Forget the rules! Experiment.” I think that’s so important. I don’t “play” enough with my images but that’s something I’m starting to change.
Which is good, but never forget them. You need to know the rules to break them deliberately. 🙂
Very true. Good point.
Wow such beautifully taken pictures
Right?! Just stunning.
Love the pic, very dynamic and alive!
Great way to say it Maarten! Thank you for commenting.
I rather like the feeling of being caught in the middle of the action. It definitely captures the sense of movement. I’m not sure I find the photo interesting enough to look at it time and again but it’s certainly engaging.
Thanks Laura, I really appreciate your point of view. 🙂